President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Chief Dan Agbese, a renowned veteran journalist, author, and one of the three foundational co-founders of the trailblazing Newswatch weekly magazine. Agbese, who was 81, died on Monday, November 17, 2025, in Lagos.
In a statement released by the State House today, President Tinubu described the passing of the media icon as a “painful and profound loss” to the nation and its entire media industry.
President Tinubu highlighted Agbese’s indelible role in shaping contemporary Nigerian media. Alongside his co-founders, Dele Giwa and Ray Ekpu, Agbese was credited with ushering in a new era of investigative and interpretative reporting that transformed media practice and set new standards for ethical and courageous journalism in the 1980s.
President Tinubu’s Tribute: “Dan Agbese was not just a journalist; he was an institution. His pen shaped public opinion, strengthened democratic discourse, and inspired a generation of media practitioners… His contribution to the evolution of the modern Nigerian press will be remembered forever.”
Agbese, who held the traditional title of Awan’Otun of Agila in Benue State, served the nation with integrity for decades, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to guide the noble calling of journalism.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also issued a separate statement mourning Agbese, describing him as a “titan of truth” and a foundational pillar of Nigeria’s contemporary journalism.
